LIFE IN THE CHURCH SESSION 2. The Point. The Bible Meets Life. The Passage. The Setting GET INTO THE STUDY. 5 minutes

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1 GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes DISCUSS: Draw attention to the picture on PSG, p. 104 as you introduce Question #1: What is the best thing about being a part of a group that has a family feel to it? GUIDE: Direct attention to The Bible Meets Life, PSG, p Describe the author s testimony. LEADER PACK: Point to Item 10: Connected. Ask a volunteer to read the author quote aloud. SESSION 2 LIFE IN THE CHURCH The Point I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. The Bible Meets Life American culture focuses on the individual. Businesses seek to cater to our individuality and give us what we want. The Christian life, on the other hand, is not about the individual. When a person comes to Christ, that person also comes to Christ s body: the church. Therefore, to serve Christ, we serve His body. Serving the church and the needs of fellow believers is serving Christ. The Passage 1 Peter 4:7-11 Reinforce the importance of the church in believers lives by reading The Point, PSG, p. 105: I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. The Setting Peter was one of Jesus twelve apostles (Mark 3:16). He became a leader in the early church and eventually was martyred under the Roman emperor Nero about A.D. 64. Probably a few years earlier, Peter wrote the letter we call 1 Peter to a group of churches in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Peter encouraged them to stand strong and to realize the hope they had in Jesus Christ, even as they faced persecution and suffering. 108 Session 2

2 1 Peter 4:7 7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be alert and soberminded for prayer. STUDY THE BIBLE 1 Peter 4:7. 10 minutes KEY WORDS: The end of all things (v. 7) The New Testament writers described the times following Jesus resurrection and ascension as the last days anticipating Jesus return. In the verses immediately preceding this passage, Peter had encouraged his readers to align themselves with Christ s mission and purpose (1 Pet. 4:1). They should live their lives doing God s will rather than pursuing the evil deeds they used to count important before they became Jesus followers (vv. 2-3). They were to identify with their new life in Christ rather than with their former lives, for all would one day give account (vv. 4-5). In verses 7-11, Peter provided practical application to his words. Serve one another through prayer. 1 Verse 7. Peter s declaration the end of all things is near may sound strange to modern readers, since Peter wrote this letter almost 2,000 years ago. Two ideas require mention. First, in his next letter, Peter would remind his readers the Lord s time table differed from theirs. As he said, With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day (2 Pet. 3:8). When we understand that God reigns from eternity to eternity (Ps. 90:2), we better understand Peter s mindset. Second, the New Testament writers saw the resurrection and ascension of Christ as the beginning of the last days. On the day of Pentecost, Peter so informed his listeners (Acts 2:17). The coming of the Holy Spirit comprised the last major step in God s plan before He would send His Son to return and fulfill His kingdom. Other New Testament writers used similar words to express this concept (1 Cor. 10:11; 1 John 2:18). The Lord Jesus was coming soon, and every day was one day closer! In light of the coming end of the age, Peter encouraged his readers to be alert (NASB of sound judgment ). Indeed, life was serious business, because eternity was coming! People s relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ or lack thereof meant the difference between an eternity with God and an eternity without God. The stakes were too high to waste their lives. Rather, they needed to use them for God s purpose. SUMMARIZE: Before reading the passage, set the context by summarizing the information in The Setting on page 108. READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read 1 Peter 4:7. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 1 and the Key Words (PSG, p. 106) to explain Peter s meaning when he wrote: the end of all things is near. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 106 for further information on the end. The end refers to the end of time when all humanity will stand before Jesus (Rev. 20:11-12). Some may think Peter was mistaken in thinking the end was near because two thousand years have passed and we re still here. But the last days were inaugurated with the death and resurrection of Christ; the New Testament frequently refers to this period between his first and second comings as the last days (Rom. 13:11-12; 1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 10:23-25). SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF APRIL

3 THE POINT I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 2 to explain the importance of believers engaging in prayer. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 107): When have you seen prayer make an impact in the lives of others? (Alternate: What steps can you take to be more disciplined in your prayer life?) TRANSITION: Peter addressed the first way the church serves one another which is prayer. Next, he reminded believers of the importance of love and hospitality. STUDY THE BIBLE 1 Peter 4: minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read 1 Peter 4:8-9. Peter also challenged his readers to be soberminded (KJV, sober ). The word contains the notion of intentionality. We cannot accomplish God s purpose for our lives by accident or merely by living each day one at a time. Rather, we must consider how we will invest our lives in light of eternity. Peter was not saying life had no room for spontaneity or fun, but he was challenging his hearers to live their lives with eternity in view. 2 The word translated prayer literally is prayers, but the basic meaning is the same. The Greek structure stresses that Peter desired prayer to result from people s serious and disciplined lifestyles. As they considered both the importance and relative brevity of life, they would realize they must pray to God regularly. He could intervene and accomplish great things in situations way beyond His children s ability (Isa. 55:8-9). When God s children pray, they are recognizing their utter dependence on Him. They also are confirming His power to handle their situations. What challenge or trial do you need to soberly take to the Lord in a disciplined manner today? The apostle Paul elsewhere encouraged us to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). However, these verses suggest a more intentional, planned pursuit of prayer in the course of our daily routine. In light of Peter s words, believers should consider how to make prayer a more intentional and significant part of their walks with God. 1 Peter 4:8-9 8 Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without complaining. KEY WORD: Hospitable (v. 9) Hospitable people provided food, shelter, and protection for their guests. Practicing hospitality was a natural extension of the practice of brotherly love (Heb. 13:1-2). Serve one another with love and hospitality. 3 Verse 8. The words above all may seem surprising since a lifestyle of prayer also is important (1 Pet. 4:7). Peter 110 Session 2

4 commanded his readers to maintain constant love for one another. The word translated love is agape (a-gah-pay). It designates a decision of the will rather than emotion. Today s world often defines love in terms of feelings or emotions, and love can include those things. However, at its core, biblical love is characterized by self-denying commitment. The apostle Paul affirmed this same truth in 1 Corinthians 13. The Corinthian church had many questions about spiritual gifts, and Paul affirmed their importance (1 Cor. 12:4-26). Nonetheless, he highlighted that love surpassed all the gifts (13:1-3). In fact, he affirmed that one day, all the gifts would pass away, but love would go on forever (v. 8). Love unifies the church in a way gifts never can. The word translated constant (CSB), deeply (NIV), earnestly (ESV), and fervent (KJV) further stressed the depth of love Peter sought from his readers. Peter said such an attitude was important because love covers a multitude of sins. Most interpreters believe Peter was alluding to Proverbs 10:12: Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses. James used similar language when he encouraged believers to restore sinners from their errant ways (Jas. 5:20). Again, he stressed the power of love to bring peace to people s lives. Love is able to cover a multitude of sins because a believer s attitude of self-denying commitment and readiness to forgive others will be evident to those who see it. Anger and hatred only make difficult situations worse. However, love can break down walls of hostility and bring reconciliation. The apostle Paul said that without love, we are nothing; whatever else we do is of little account. Peter likewise placed love as our highest command because he recognized its supreme importance. 4 Verse 9. Being hospitable meant something different in Peter s context than it does today. In the ancient world, cities and towns did not typically have quality hotels for travelers to use. Rather, people counted on the gracious hospitality of local residents to take them in and provide their basic needs. The Greek word comes from two words that together mean to show love toward a foreigner. Hospitality did not merely extend to foreigners, of course. Examples of hospitality abound in the Bible. Lot, Abraham s nephew, showed hospitality to the two messengers who came to Sodom (Gen. 19:1-3). Rebekah s brother, Laban, showed hospitality to Abraham s servant, who came to Haran seeking a wife for his master Isaac, Abraham s son (24:31-32). In many such circumstances, a traveler would likely attempt to compensate his host, but the host could not necessarily count on this. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 3 on page 110 and this page to explain Peter s use of the expression maintain constant love for one another. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 108 for more encouragement to have a deep love for each other. This is the selfless, benevolent, agape affection that God bestows on His people. But love isn t automatic or easy. Some people may find it easy to fall in love, but it takes work to maintain love in any relationship. Life among believers is no different, and Peter wrote, above all maintain constant love for one another. When we work to maintain love for each other, that love covers a multitude of sins. My love for others leads me to overlook their offenses against me. The church is not filled with perfect people, so it must be filled with God s perfect love. DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 109): What are some ways love covers a multitude of sins? 111

5 THE POINT I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 4 on page 111 and Key Word on page 110 (PSG, p. 107) to explain being hospitable. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 109): Why is hospitality an essential element in the life of the church? (Alternate: What steps can our group take to be more hospitable?) TRANSITION: Having told us of the importance of prayer and hospitality, Peter then addressed how we could serve by using the spiritual gifts. The word complaining also can be rendered grumbling. It occurs in Acts 6:1 ( complaint ), where it described the concern over the unequal treatment of widows; and in Philippians 2:14 ( grumbling ), where Paul instructed believers to do all things without grumbling. Hospitality required a significant commitment on the part of the host family. They needed to see to the needs of their guests and to provide them food, drink, and shelter. They also took a certain level of responsibility for their protection (Gen. 19:6-8). A host might grumble because of the time and effort he had to expend to care for others needs. Peter s perspective, however, was that showing hospitality to strangers was a wonderful way to demonstrate Christ s love! As they put aside their own needs to show kindness to strangers, they demonstrated the kind of self-denying commitment Jesus displayed and encouraged them to display (John 13:34-35). Unbelieving strangers also might see their example and turn to the Lord. Today, Christians have many opportunities to serve others. These opportunities may require more time and effort than we might initially be willing to give. In such situations, we need to pray that God will enable us to show the love of Christ to others. If we carry out our duties grumbling and complaining, people will only see our negative attitude, and not the love of Christ. As we serve faithfully, they will take notice, and God will receive the glory (Matt. 5:16). God can use both our words and our gracious actions to draw others to Himself. STUDY THE BIBLE 1 Peter 4: minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read 1 Peter 4: Peter 4: Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. KEY WORD: Gift (v. 10) God-given empowerment for ministry. Many different gifts exist (1 Cor. 12:4-11). All believers are so gifted and should use their gifts to bless others. 112 Session 2

6 Serve one another through your spiritual gifts. 5 Verse 10. In verses 10 and 11, Peter turned his attention to spiritual gifts and their exercise in the church for the common good. Peter urged that his hearers use their gifts as each one has received a gift. The apostle Paul gave a much more detailed listing of spiritual gifts in Romans 12 and in 1 Corinthians 12. These passages help provide a context for Peter s more general words of instruction. Some spiritual gifts listed in these passages are quite prominent, such as prophecy or teaching (Rom. 12:6-7). Others, such as service or giving, might be less prominent (vv. 7-8). Paul stressed that each gift was important, and believers needed to exercise their gifts for the common good and building up of the church. They were not to begin ranking one another s importance to God or their importance in the church on the basis of what spiritual gifts they had received, for these were gifts, not naturally-developed talents. The church needed all the gifts to be what God intended it to be. That is still the case. Peter wanted his readers to be good stewards of the spiritual gift or gifts they had received. The word stewards can also mean managers. A manager or steward, as the term implies, manages the concerns of another. In this case, Peter focused on the spiritual gifts that were operative in the body of Christ. The believers had nothing to offer God that they had not received from Him as a gift (1 Cor. 4:7). They were managers or stewards, not owners, and God expected them to use what He had given them to serve others for His glory. The expression the varied grace of God ( manifold grace of God, KJV) does not describe God s grace in salvation, which comes to all who believe (Rom. 3:23-24; Eph. 2:8-9). Rather, Peter was describing God s wide purpose in extending to the church many different types of spiritual gifts. All of them come through His grace, but each one is different and unique. It is a reminder that God does not leave us alone in this world once we become followers of Jesus. Eternal life begins when we place our faith in Him, not when we die (John 10:10; 17:3). Indeed, for believers, eternal life already has begun! God is molding us into the image of Christ even as we live our lives (2 Cor. 3:18). God works in the same saving way in all believers to bring them to faith, but once they follow Him, He leads them along different paths as He uses them for His purpose on earth and in the church. Verse 11. Peter had given instructions on how to exercise one s spiritual gifts in verse 10. He next gave two specific examples of ministry for the sake of the church. SUMMARIZE: Use Bible Commentary 5 on this page and page 114, to reinforce teachings about spiritual gifts: Each beliver has received a spiritual gift. We are to be good stewards of the gift or gifts God has entrusted to us (see Matt. 25:14-30). Review the gift lists in Romans 12:6-8 ; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10; Ephesians 4: The purpose of spiritual gifts is to serve others. Spiritual gifts are to be exercised so that God is glorified. GUIDE: Refer group members to Key Word on page 112 (PSG, p. 110) and Digging Deeper on PSG page 111 to explain the importance of spiritual gifts. OPTION: Display a wrapped gift. Mention that most of us enjoy giving and receiving gifts. Call attention to verses and point out the instruction that, as believers, we are to use our spiritual gifts to serve one another. 113

7 THE POINT I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. GUIDE: Refer group members to PSG page 111 to consider how God has gifted each of them. God will awaken each believer to these gifts by the power of His Spirit. He often uses two avenues: 1. Many times other believers will see your giftedness before you see it in yourself. Christians around us will help us to discover how we can serve others. 2. Just serve. God s giftedness becomes clear, not as we seek His gifts, but as we get our hands dirty and begin to serve. Every believer is called to service, but God will not enable the full potential of your gift until you surrender to Him. He has not given us all the same gift, but He has called us all to the same service. The word if occurs twice in this verse. Usually the word expresses a hypothetical condition, but the Greek construction is stronger than that. We should understand Peter s words if anyone speaks as stating a condition assumed to be true if anyone speaks, and he will. Peter gave instructions on the manner in which someone in the church should speak. The words let it be as one who speaks do not actually appear in the original text, but they clarify the sense of Peter s intended meaning. Peter designated the person s speech as God s words. Those who spoke should recognize they were presenting God s words, and should never present their own opinions instead. Those who received the words would recognize them as from the Lord. When believers speak words of encouragement to one another, God can and does use those words to accomplish His purposes. Peter encouraged those who spoke to guard their words, and to be sure their words were spoken with the understanding that someone might take the m as from God. We know today that many times God uses a timely word from a pastor, Bible study leader, parent, or good friend to encourage or guide another believer. Christian leaders should especially guard their words, since it is more likely that those who follow them will take their words as coming from the Lord. We should use our speech to help others in their Christian walks, not hinder them (Eph. 4:29; Col. 4:6). The word for serves could also be translated minister (KJV) and is related to the word deacon. Another word similar to this word is often translated ministry. In the church today, we have pastors and others who lead us in worshiping God and in our Christian walks. Many others serve as God s ministers in the marketplace through various occupations. Wherever we serve, whether as professional ministers or as ministering professionals, we should serve with the knowledge that we are part of the grand story God is writing. How will we serve others to draw them closer to Jesus? Peter said that the service people offered should be from the strength God provides. Believers were to recognize that only what they did in the power of Jesus name and by the Holy Spirit s enabling would make an eternal difference. The apostle Paul described a coming day of judgment when the Lord would examine our work (1 Cor. 3:11-15). Only the kingdom works we do by the power of the Holy Spirit will last. Peter s words thus issue a warning and an encouragement to believers today. We cannot accomplish God s purpose from human strength, but only from His. 114 Session 2

8 Peter then highlighted the purpose of our speaking God s words and serving in His Name: so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. Those who spoke words as from God should recognize that the goal was God s glory. Those who served were not to do so to bring glory to themselves but to honor the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul elsewhere echoed Peter s sentiments, commanding us to do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving glory to God through Him (Col. 3:23-24). Indeed, our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ by grace through faith is to be our all-consuming relationship. All our other relationships and priorities flow from that one. Peter ended verse 11 with a doxology, a brief ascription of praise to God. The words to him be the glory and the power forever and ever remind us that everything begins and ends with God. It is His glorious power that brought the world into existence, and it is His glorious power that will bring human history as we know it to an end. The apostle Paul also included doxologies in his letters (Rom. 11:33-36; Eph. 3:20-21). The words forever and ever should stagger our imaginations. God spoke the world into creation, and He has guided it down through the ages. What is our life compared to that vast length of time? It might seem as if our lives are insignificant. Yet, when we yield our lives to God s grand purpose, God is able to take what we do and multiply the impact of our work for His glory. As he wrote Psalm 90, Moses prayed that God would establish the work of His people s hands so its impact might last for generations (Ps. 90:17). The word amen comes from a Hebrew word that means to be confirmed or sure. Today, when we hear a preacher or someone else say something we agree with, we may respond with amen. We are saying that what was said is confirmed in our hearts as well. By closing his statement with this word, Peter drove home his conviction that what he had just spoken was indeed the truth. God s word is certain. As we yield our lives to Him, He will take them and bless them for His purpose and glory. Furthermore, in fulfilling His will, believers will find their own highest fulfillment. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 112): How can we use the gifts we have received to serve others? (Alternate: Who is someone that you see using their gifts really well within your group?) OPTION: IN ADVANCE, invite one or two group members who are actively involved in your church to share brief testimonies of when they became aware of their spiritual gifts and how God has given them opportunities to use those gifts in the church. DO: Invite volunteers to share their responses to the activity on PSG page 112: Exercising Your Spiritual Gift. 115

9 THE POINT I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. LIVE IT OUT LIVE IT OUT How will you love and serve Christ through His church? 5 minutes GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: I love and serve Christ when I love and serve His body, the church. REVIEW: Review Live It Out (PSG, p. 113; see text to the right). Encourage each group member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. > > Pray. Make a commitment to start praying. Prayer is simply talking to God. You talk every day, and you should talk to God every day. Pray for your church and those who lead it. Serve them by praying for them. > > Practice hospitality. Identify a way you can show more love and kindness to the people in your church. > > Identify others gifts. Every member in God s church is gifted. Many people in the church do not see themselves as spiritually gifted. Encourage others by pointing out the gifts you see in them. Bless each other with a word of encouragement. WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize that none of us is brought into God s family and left on our own. We are brought into a church, the Lord s living expression of His body on earth. PRAY: Father, help us to not just gather a couple of times a week, but to really become a part of one another s lives through prayer, love, and serving one another using our gifts from You. 116 Session 2

10 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO/ BOB SCHATZ (10/15/17) The Via Maris milestone at Capernaum dating from the 2nd century A.D. Greek and Roman culture placed a high importance on hospitality. Motives included belief by some that it was a divine requirement of the gods. Hospitality expressed sympathetic concern for travelers, helping them overcome the practical problems connected with travel. The Jewish community in particular was distinguished for its hospitality practices. Christian ethics raised the practice of hospitality to a new in the world to actively practice hospitality. The Greek word translated hospitality means love for strangers. He charged them not only to practice hospitality, but to do so without complaint. Peter s instruction was rooted in rabbinic teachings, which went as far as prescribing the manner in which host was to conduct himself in relation to his guests. He is to look pleased when entertaining his guests, to wait upon them himself, to promise little and to give much. The hospitality of today hardly comes within the use of the biblical term. Even in our changing world, however, Peter s words still hold true, Be hospitable to one another without complaint. Jesus said, To the extent you have shown hospitality to the least of My brothers you have shown it to Me (Matt. 25:45, paraphrase). SHARING THE GOOD NEWS The love of Jesus covers all of our sins, when we confess Him as Lord and ask Him to forgive us. Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. level. In 1 Peter 4:9 the apostle Peter charged his readers, to whom he referred as strangers The excerpt above is from the article Early Christian Hospitality (Summer 1998), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator. Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog. LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry 117